Northern Oklahoma College is expanding its Process Technology Program into Wind Energy.
NOC is pleased to announce that beginning this fall, it will be able to offer an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Electronic Technology, Wind Energy Technician.
NOC has been working Enel Green Power, Oklahoma’s second-largest wind operator, to establish this program and is working with other industrial partners to promote the program. In the fall of 2020, thirteen students were enrolled in the Introduction to Wind class and will continue in the program. Several of these students have already secured jobs in the Wind industry. Wind is the fastest growing occupation in Oklahoma with a 64.5% projected growth from 2018-2028.
Wind energy now accounts for 35.38% of the electric grid in Oklahoma. Currently, there is 9,048 MW of installed capacity, with an additional 1,017 MW under construction. In the five counties, Kay, Grant, Noble, Garfield, and Osage, there is 1,719 MW of installed capacity, almost 20% of the Oklahoma capacity. (There are current approximately 890 turbines in these counties.)
In 2019, a typical American home used about 10,649 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, so one typical 1.5 MW turbine produces the same electric energy that is required by approximately 332 households.
NOC is still offering its traditional process technology courses, and also working with students headed toward four-year engineering degrees. The incorporation of the Wind Energy program is providing additional skills for the students that are headed toward energy related careers.
Contact Dr. Frankie Wood-Black at 580.628.6440 for additional information.
To enroll, call 580.628.6220 or visit www.noc.edu .